Letters to the Editor — November 15, 2012

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 3:15 AM

Voters thanked

To the Editor:

With the 2012 election over, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the thousands of voters in Strafford County who cast a vote in support of my becoming the next sheriff. Furthermore, the support I received from family and friends, both old and new, was simply incredible and appreciated more than words can say.

I thank Joe DiGregorio, for running a spirited campaign that assisted in preparing me for what I am sure will be a very challenging and rewarding job. I look forward to serving the people of Strafford County alongside the capable staff already in place at the County Sheriff’s Office and pledge to serve with honor, passion, and enthusiasm in cooperation with the larger law enforcement family of the state and region.

David G. Dubois

Rochester

Fred Leonard thanks voters

To the Editor

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who supported me with their vote on November 6th. I truly appreciate your consideration and trust. While I was not reelected, I’m satisfied that I stuck to my principles and did what I thought was in the best interests of the people I served.

Tuesday’s election results signaled to me that we have reached a point in our nation’s existence where most people fundamentally believe they cannot survive and prosper without government and government assistance and programs. I’m not talking about functions such as the military, public safety, road infrastructure, etc. I’m referring to long term public assistance (food, housing, cell phones, cars, etc.), small business loans, higher education grants and subsidized student loans and on and on and on.

Along with unfathomable nation debt, we also have tens of trillions of dollars of unfunded liabilities in Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare in addition to public employee retirement systems that are on an unsustainable path. To think all we need to do is simply tax the rich more or just ignore these realities and our problems will be solved has lead us over the edge. To be clear we’ve been on this path for the past twelve years and the responsibility for this insanity is spread across political party and ideological boundaries. This is precisely what makes these problems more troubling because no matter who we elect, there’s a special interest group waiting to corrupt our elected leaders into doing their will.

For a long time I’ve believed we had the capability to do better. I thought all it took was the political will to make changes that would lead to a more accountable and efficient government. Instead, along with you, I’ve witnessed a system and a process that’s been in steady decline for a long time. Campaigns have become polarizing, poisonous and so personal they do little to help voters determine who’s the best person to address the issues most concerning to them.

I hope and pray our country has not slipped into the abyss, but when the people riding in the cart outnumber the people pulling the cart, something’s wrong!

Fred Leonard

Rochester

TCCA needs your help

To the Editor:

Teachers and parents give students the building blocks they need to learn and grow, but sometimes they can use a little outside help. As school budgets nationwide continue to shrink, The Clorox Company’s Power A Bright Future grant program steps in to help fund new or ongoing programs that allow children to play, create and explore.

After a competitive national nomination period, now it is time for our community to show its support. Help local Tri City Christian Academy win up to $50,000 by casting votes starting Nov. 12!

From Nov. 12 through Dec. 19, adults and children 13 and older can visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com to vote once a day for the program they believe is most deserving of a grant. Neighbors, friends and family can also vote for their favorite school right from their phones via text message — (message and data rates may apply). Send the text to 95248 with a message that says 2275pbf.

The program that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the $50,000 grand-prize grant, and the next top vote-getters in the Play, Create and Explore categories respectively will each be awarded a $25,000 grant. Clorox’s judging panel, will select three additional lucky schools, one in each category, to win a $25,000 judge’s choice grant.

Tri City Christian Academy can be one of only seven schools nationwide to win a grant, and you can help push our school to the top. We hope you’ll be able to share our school’s story with your READERS, encourage them to vote for Tri City Christian Academy at www.PowerABrightFuture.com.

I encourage you to visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com for more details and official rules. I can also put touch base with you to provide firsthand information on our story and how the grant will impact the students. Are you interested in scheduling an interview?

Kelly Hearn

On behalf of Tri City Christian Academy

Dover

A special thank you

To the Editor:

I want to express a special thank you for all who voted on Nov. 6. I especially want to thank those who voted for President Obama and our new Democratic leadership in New Hampshire. My heart goes out in such appreciation for those who showed trust in me and voted for me in the election.

I will continue to work for Strafford County, at the state level, through my positions on the State Council on Aging, State Mental Health Planning Council, as a member of the stakeholder group for the state $26.43 million grant to revamp community services for those who need long term care, and the State Council for Special Education, through the Department of Education. I will continue to teach re-entry skills and attitudes to incarcerated persons, with the goal of successful reentry into society and family life.

I will continue to be available to serve as needed. You may see me again…next elections, maybe running for a county office…we will see.

With sincere gratitude,

Candace Cole-McCrea

Milton

‘Small Government’

To the Editor:

I declare that the late former President Ronald Reagan’s notion: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem” is a false argument.

A well-respected predecessor of President Reagan once described our government as that of a “Government of the People, by the People, for the People.” If one accepts that premise, then one should also believe that Reagan, and all the other GOP politicians that have worn out Reagan’s mantra, are labeling We, the 300 million citizens, the problem.

I submit that the real problems are: the election of leaders that claim to have a disdain for government and Washington; obscene money and special interests that infiltrate politics and control our elections; greed; corruption; self-servitude; lust for power; and a greatly distracted voting citizenry.

James Madison, the “Father of our Constitution,” perfectly summed up the need for government declaring, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Of course, we must also be wary, as Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (who knew a non-angel) suggested, “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”

Government, with qualified and just leaders, is entrusted with the important role of laying down the foundation for the private. Good government, as evidenced frequently in recent times under the Obama Administration (see Hurricane Sandy), protects and empowers all citizens equally via the provision of public resources (i.e. roads; public schools; national defense; healthcare; public safety; protection from natural disasters; clean food, water and air).

We need to remain vigilant of the right wing politicians who decry “big government.” “Small government” is simply the Right’s euphemism for total private/corporate government and dismantling of our public in favor of consolidated power and profits for the well connected. Furthermore, despite their supposed contempt for government these same individuals have no problems embracing the power, benefits, and privilege of their elected position.

We should insist that individuals popping off about ‘big government” just get out of politics and stay out of the way of good government. I also recommend that Reagan’s mantra be modified to read, “Bad government is never the solution to our problem; bad government, regardless of size, (with bad leaders) will always be the problem.”

Wayne H. Merritt

Dover

Thanks for the support

To the Editor:

I want to thank the voters of Strafford County for electing me to the post of Register of Deeds. I appreciate the trust being placed in me to carry out the duties of overseeing this critical office, which I intend to do with great care and diligence. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff at the registry and to serving the citizens of Strafford County in this new capacity.

As your Register of Deeds, I am committed to ensuring that the Registry continues to address the needs of the community while carrying out its function as the land records repository for the county. If you have any questions or suggestions during the transition, please call my office at (603) 664-5155. Thank you again for your support.

Dennis Vachon

Strafford

Looking Glass reflection

To the Editor

Let’s hear it for Obama’s re-election:

“O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

(We) chortle in (our) joy!”

Jane Wingate

Farmington

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.